Episode 33: The City

The music is joyful while the tragedies go on. The second episode of the season keep some characters dutifully fighting the same battles, but others discover a new front has erupted in their own personal war. One, however, finds some peace–the security found in the arms of a good woman, and peace in knowing how he fits in the place where he comes from. Written by George Pelecanos, directed by Anthony Hemingway.

I wasn’t as interested in Janette’s storyline this week, because we already knew the basis for Feeney’s claim. (It was a kick to see Davis’ reaction to her less subtle come-on, though.) Same with Annie, she’s still struggling to decide what to do. Nelson’s still trying to make things happen by bringing C. J. and Davis together. Fun scene just to see those two polar opposites who know they’re polar opposites, play off each other.

What’s become more clear about Toni’s world is that the Feds aren’t putting her intel into play because they’re working on something bigger than just her cases. Of course we have the benefit of hindsight, but she should have picked up on the clue her contact gave when he told her the information was valuable. He’s trying to tell her what he can’t tell her.

Antoine is devastated by Cherise’s death. Her shooting was a result of her being a witness for another shooting by mistaken identity, and he had already tried to talk with her and encourage her to be safe. Her best friend Jennifer gives a brief eulogy at the school vigil and says that they love their city, but the city has to love them back. It’s a tough world when the young people are tossed away so casually.

LaDonna is still pulled in two directions, not just because of her kids, but also because of Albert. He takes first Davina and later LaDonna on a trip down memory lane as he assesses his life. His tour of the 7th ward, and then later his recounting of people he’s known roughly parallels Davis’ greatest hits tour for Janette before she left for New York. But his impetus is that he’s been given bad news by his doctor. Although he’s feeling great, his cancer has spread to his liver. More chemo might not make a difference, so he decides not to go through all that hardship for just a slight chance. I can’t hardly blame him. Davina finds that unconscionable, but Delmond takes a more pragmatic view. It’s Albert’s choice to make, and it’s up to them to deal with the inevitable.

Best line of the episode: “I’m ready to go.”

Ultimately I think this episode is evidence in support of David Simon’s Watch it in Totality Theorem, because although it had its moments (particularly Galactic/Soul Rebels), we didn’t learn much that we didn’t already know, and there wasn’t a lot of forward movement on the choices that the characters have to make.

I’ll rely on Dave Walker and others for a fuller breakdown of the music, so for that be sure to check tomorrow’s link roundup if you’re interested. For now, here are links for Terence Blanchard and Aurora Nealand. They serve as the opposite poles of Annie’s choice-Terence in New York, multi-hyphenate musician, and Aurora making it work (barely) at home.

No Sonny at all.

Annie wins an award for a song written by someone else that she sings poorly. Yay.

Why on earth would Galactic/Soul Rebels want Delmond with them?

Toni convinces asthma boy’s parents to pony up a huge capital outlay then pitches fits that nothing gets done? Wait, what? I mean, I get its she can’t rely on official sources, but according to her own expectations it’s all going to go down the drain.

Yes, Janette, you should have read the contract. Not much sympathy here.

Wow! Grumpy observations! If you have good moments/lines you want to share, leave them in the comments.